Gas Prices Slashed to $1.84 in Reno by Political Groups

Koch Brothers fund campaign aimed at highlighting the rise in gas prices since President Barack Obama was inaugurated

With gas selling for more than $4 per gallon in some parts of the country leading up to the presidential election, one political activist group is looking to sway voters by offering them fuel at less than half that price.

Drivers lined up by the hundreds outside of Rainbow Markets in Reno, Nevada earlier this week to take advantage of gas priced at only $1.84 per gallon — the same price that was found on fuel pumps across the country when President Barack Obama took office in January 2009. (See also: How High Have Gas Prices Risen Over the Years?)

Organized by a group known as Gas Can Man and funded by the PAC Morning in America radio show and billionaire brothers David and Charles Koch, leaders of the Americans for Prosperity organization, the exclusive fuel deal was offered in order to highlight what those groups see as President Obama’s failed energy policies, policies they say have lead to untenable gas prices.

“The idea is to really remind voters, come election day, (that) gas prices are astronomical these days,” said Gas Can Man representative Michael Findlay. “Just three short years ago, the month President Obama was inaugurated, gas was $1.84 (per gallon).”

Rhetoric associated with the event has come from both directions, with Democrats defending the President’s record on energy policy and highlighting the partisan tactics of the Republicans responsible for the publicity stunt in Reno. (See also: Gasoline Prices Doubled Under Obama: True or False?)

“Gimmicks like these are simply designed to distract the voters from the real issues of the election,” responded Pam duPre, the Executive Director of the Washoe County Democratic Party. “With all the Republican backed tax breaks, it’s easy for the oil tycoons like the Koch brothers to offer gimmicks like this.”

Partisan politics aside, the citizens of Reno are simply happy to catch a break on crippling fuel costs.

“I’m glad they are doing this for people like me who can’t afford four dollar gas,” said Rafaela Villarreal as she waited in line for her chance at low-cost fuel.

By Andy on September 20, 2012 at 4:01 pm

People realize that gas was only $1.84 a gallon because of a worldwide economic collapse just a few months earlier, right?

Personally, I think it’s obvious that this was to give people a sense of reality….to see themselves with a fill-up for under $30 (15 gallons @ 1.84= $27.60 hoping that if they saw the amount on the pump, their brains would kick in when it comes to making decisions…..especially the ones where the world repurcussions could totally devastate us. These issues are not partisan, you can see that by what has, and is, happening……..first, Bush and company dug their heels in and screwed things up, and now, the …..I’m sorry, I can’t call that imbicile what his paycheck says his title is…..anyway, the world’s dastardly powers simply shift to whoever can carry out agenda….so stop with the 2 party crap…it sounds like a bunch of disgruntled moms at a pta meeting

When are people going to learn that presidents do not have control of the cost of gas? The consumer has the ultimate control. Use less gas and the price will stay down. Blaming someone else is always easier than blaming yourself. We are also in a situation where the republicans will blame Obama for putting milk on his corn flakes.